Rigid crib liner

ABSTRACT

A crib liner is provided. The crib liner may include a plurality of panels formed of a rigid material. The plurality of panels may include a first side panel, a second side panel, a first end panel and a second end panel. The plurality of side panels may be secured together to form a rectangular shape sized to fit within a crib such that the panels are adjacent to the crib&#39;s slats. A plurality of slots, holes or openings may be formed through the panels having a width smaller than a distance between each of the slats of the crib.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a crib liner and, more particularly, to a rigid crib liner.

An infant bed or crib is a small bed especially for infants and very young children. The cage-like design of infant beds restricts the child to the bed. Currently, to promote air circulation, cribs are made of a plurality of slats. Small children can get arms and legs entangled in the slats or openings of a crib and suffer restricted blood flow or even broken or strained appendages. To remedy this issue, crib liners or bumper guards are secured to the slats. However, crib liners and bumper guards do not hold their shape and have a tendency to shift positions, rendering their protective intent useless. Further, crib liners and bumper guards may cause the baby to suffocate. Currently available crib lining systems have a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk because the cloth or mesh-like material facilitates the buildup of carbon-dioxide which is unhealthy for small children and infants.

As can be seen, there is a need for a rigid crib liner that allows for air circulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a crib liner comprises: a plurality of panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, wherein the plurality of panels are vertically disposed when placed within a crib, the plurality of panels are connected together to form a rectangular shape sized to fit within the crib adjacent to the crib's slats, the plurality of panels are formed of a rigid material, and a plurality of slots, holes or openings are formed through the plurality of panels, wherein each of the slots, holes or openings comprise a width smaller than a distance between each of the slats of the crib.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of lining a crib comprises: providing a crib having a plurality of slats; providing a crib liner comprising: a plurality of panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, wherein the plurality of panels are connected together to form a rectangular shape, the plurality of panels are formed of a rigid material, and a plurality of slots, holes or openings are formed through the plurality of panels, wherein each of the slots, holes or openings comprise a width smaller than a distance between each of the slats of the crib; and placing the crib liner within the crib so that the plurality of panels are adjacent the plurality of slats.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in a pre-assembly mode;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in an assembled mode; and

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention may include a crib liner constructed of a rigid material that completely contains an infant or child within the confines of the crib. The crib liner has at least four sides that create an open box rectangular shape that fits within a standard baby crib. The crib liner may further include slots, holes or openings to promote free flow of fresh air, which significantly lowers the possibility of suffocation or carbon dioxide buildup. Further, the one-piece design eliminates the possibility of any body part of the child being able to protrude through the sides or bottom of the crib. The present invention may be constructed from injection-molded plastic, making it easy to clean and sanitize with readily available cleaning products.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a crib liner 10. The crib liner 10 may include a plurality of panels 32, 34 formed of a rigid material. The plurality of panels 32, 34 may include a first side panel 32, a second side panel 32, a first end panel 34 and a second end panel 34. The plurality of panels 32, 34 may be secured together to form a rectangular shape sized to fit within a crib 12 adjacent to the crib's slats. A plurality of slots, holes or openings 16 may be formed through the panels 32, 34 having a width smaller than a distance between each of the slats of the crib 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crib liner 10 may include one rectangular piece. The crib liner 10 is sized to be inserted into the crib 12 such that each of the panels 32, 34 are vertically disposed relative to the crib 12 and are adjacent to the slats of the crib 10. The slots, holes or openings 16 formed through the crib liner 10 are sized to allow air to flow through, but prevents children's limbs from fitting through. Once the crib liner 10 is placed within the crib 12, a mattress 14 may be placed in between the plurality of panels 32, 34.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, the present invention may include a second embodiment 30. The second embodiment 30 may include a base 44 horizontally disposed relative to the panels 32, 34. The panels 32, 34 vertically extend from the base 44. The base 44 may include a plurality of base slots, holes or openings 46 for additional ventilation and the prevention of any excessive liquid accumulation in the bottom of the liner that might pose a drowning threat.

In certain embodiments, the panels 32, 34 may be secured to the base 44 by a hinge. Further, the panels 32, 34 may releasably attach to one another. Therefore, the panels 32 34 may fold upward and secure to one another in an erected position, and detach and fold away from one another in a flattened position. In such embodiments, each of the first end panel 34 and the second end panel 34 may include a pair of flanges 36 extending from opposing side edges.

The pair of flanges 36 may be substantially perpendicular relative to the end panels 34 and may extend inward towards the side panels 32. Each of the pair of flanges 36 may include a plurality of openings 38. The openings 38 are positioned to align with openings 40 formed through the side panels 32. A pin 48 is sized to fit within the aligned openings 38, 40, thereby securing the side panels 32 to the end panels 34 in the erected form.

A method of lining a crib 12 may include the following. The side panels 32 and end panels 34 are pivoted towards one another. Pins 48 are placed within the aligned openings 38, 40 thereby connecting the plurality of panels 32, 34 together in an erected form. The crib liner 10 is then placed within a crib 12 having a plurality of slats so that the plurality of panels 32, 34 are adjacent to the plurality of slats. A mattress 14 is then placed within the crib liner 16. Due to the size of the slots, holes or openings 16 of the crib liner 10, a baby is unable to insert their limbs through them and cause potential injury. Due to the rigidness of the crib liner 10, the crib liner 10 stays in place regardless of movement of the baby. Further, the slots, holes or openings 16 allow air circulation throughout the crib 12.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A crib liner comprising: a plurality of panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, wherein the plurality of panels are vertically disposed when placed within a crib; the plurality of panels are connected together to form a rectangular shape sized to fit within the crib adjacent to the crib's slats, the plurality of panels are formed of a rigid material, and a plurality of openings are formed through the plurality of panels, wherein each of the openings comprise a width smaller than a distance between each of the slats of the crib.
 2. The crib liner of claim 1, further comprising a base horizontally disposed, wherein the plurality of panels vertically extend from the base.
 3. The crib liner of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a plurality of base openings.
 4. The crib liner of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels are releasably connected together.
 5. The crib liner of claim 4, wherein the plurality of panels are each pivotally connected to the base by a hinge.
 6. The crib liner of claim 5, wherein each of the first end panel and the second end panel comprises a pair of flanges protruding towards the first side panel and the second side panel.
 7. The crib liner of claim 6, wherein each of the pair of flanges comprises an opening aligned with an opening formed through one of the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein a pin is sized to fit within aligned openings.
 8. A method of lining a crib comprising: providing a crib having a plurality of slats; providing a crib liner comprising: a plurality of panels comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, wherein the plurality of panels are connected together to form a rectangular shape, the plurality of panels are formed of a rigid material, and a plurality of openings are formed through the plurality of panels, wherein each of the openings comprise a width smaller than a distance between each of the slats of the crib; and placing the crib liner within the crib so that the plurality of panels are adjacent the plurality of slats. 